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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20151216DAMSBODminutes.pdf TIDA/MS BOD approved: 1/20/16 Page 1 of 2 TYBEE ISLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY / MAIN STREET BOARD OF DIRECTORS Meeting Minutes: December 16, 2015 Vision: To improve the quality of life for those that live, work, and visit Tybee Island and enhance the cultural experience while preserving the community's barrier island heritage. The Mission of the Tybee Island Development Authority / Main Street Program is to: - facilitate efforts to revitalize, redevelop, and enhance that which improves the quality of life; - create a sense of place and improve the quality of life for residents, business owners, and visitors using the Main Street Four Point Approach; - encourage quality economic growth and development while preserving Tybee Island's unique architectural and community heritage; - support and encourage the arts as a cultural endeavor and economic engine on the Island. ATTENDANCE (Present) Director: Bill Garbett, Vicki Hammons, Diane Kaufman, Ted Lynch Ex-Officio Director: Sarah Bernzott, Melissa Turner, Melissa Memory Staff: Chantel Morton (Absent) Director: Angela Caldwell, Steve Kellam, Brenda Marion Ex-Officio Director: John Yarbrough CALL TO ORDER Ted called the meeting to order at 6:15pm. WELCOME INVITED GUESTS Ted welcomed Joe Marinelli with Visit Savannah, Sara Lane with Visit Tybee, and Tracy McMahon, owner of CoCo’s Sunset Grille, with the Tybee Island Tourism Council. Tracy explained that she is the incoming Chairperson for the Tourism Council/Visit Tybee. Joe explained that Visit Tybee and the Tybee Island Tourism Council are one in the same. The organization is part of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and rebranded as Visit Tybee early last year to be more in line with Visit Savannah. Joe and Sarah gave a presentation about Visit Tybee and Visit Savannah’s marketing efforts in order to address some of the recommendations outlined in the letter that the Development Authority/Main Street Board submitted to the Mayor and City Council, which was discussed at the November 12 City Council meeting. The presentation included information about how the portion of hotel/motel tax they receive from the City of Tybee is allocated for marketing through research, public relations, interactive and social media, and billboards. They are in the process of adding to their Visit Tybee staff in order to handle in-house what their Public Relations firm is currently handling. They presented a Visit Tybee branded campaign they will be doing in 2016 to address the expressed concerns that the local markets be reached with traditional media. Every month an ad will run in Connect Savannah and DO – a publication of Savannah Morning News listing specific events chosen by a selection process. Directors thanked Joe and Sarah for their time and their efforts to address the need to reach more people in the local markets. ORGANIZATION Local Advertising Assistance Plan Directors discussed the information Joe and Sarah presented. Directors expressed appreciation that they have responded by contracting to run ads in Connect Savannah and Savannah Morning News’ DO publication for 2016. Vicki commented that this is a good starting point and with the additional information that is to come about their selection process, the Program Directors and city staff will be able TIDA/MS BOD approved: 1/20/16 Page 2 of 2 to disseminate the information appropriately. Directors discussed hosting a joint meeting in the near future with the local organizations about opportunities available for successful marketing. DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY / MAIN STREET BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES Motion was made by Bill, which was seconded by Vicki, to approve the minutes of the Tybee Island Development Authority / Main Street Board of Directors November 18, 2015 meeting. Motion carried. PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE Updates for Tybee for the Holidays Chantel reported that Tybee for the Holidays, as a whole, and the activities to date have been going well. She shared positive feedback she received from a few merchants that participated in Small Business Saturday. Directors commented about the success of Lights on for Tybee and the Christmas Parade. Chantel confirmed she will prepare a survey for feedback after January 1. The survey results will be presented to the Promotions Committee and Directors in order to plan for the 2016 holiday season. Review options for new Program events in 2016 Chantel presented the following concepts of possible events to be hosted by the Program in 2016, in lieu of Third Thursdays on Tybee, per Brenda’s request: 1) Preservation / Historic Tour as proposed at last month’s board meeting, 2) an annual or bi-annual Friday night street party along Tybrisa, 3) an annual or bi-annual bonfire on the beach, which would require additional approvals due to prohibition of fires on the beach. Directors expressed interest. BUSINESS ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE Business News Ted reported that he has made progress with gathering together new Business Assistance Committee members. He will have more information regarding the November Merchant Meet-Up follow up action items at next month’s meeting. DESIGN COMMITTEE Public Mural Project Proposal Vicki reported that the information about the Public Mural Project has been sent to the Manager at Tybrisa at the Beach. Once we hear back from him, we will proceed as previously discussed. Discussion ensued about opportunities for this project to grow. Vicki confirmed that the first phase is intended to set the example and that the potential to expand and grow the project will be based on its success. OTHER BUSINESS Diane expressed interest in having lights strung above Tybrisa Street similar to what Savannah has done on Broughton Street. Directors agreed to revisit this topic at a later meeting. Diane inquired about leaving the Christmas tree planted by the crossover. Bill will talk with Deb at DNR about this idea. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 7:40pm.